How do I change my headline on LinkedIn without industry?

Changing your LinkedIn headline is a great way to showcase your skills, experience and value proposition to your network. Your headline appears right below your name on your LinkedIn profile, so it’s one of the first things people notice about you. Having an informative, compelling headline can give you an edge when networking and searching for opportunities on LinkedIn.

Many people include their job title and industry in their LinkedIn headlines, like “Marketing Manager at XYZ Company | Retail Industry”. However, you don’t need to include your industry if you don’t want to or if you work across multiple industries.

There are a few good reasons why you may want to omit the industry reference from your LinkedIn headline:

• You work in a niche or emerging field that people may not recognize or understand.
• You work across multiple industries and don’t want to be pigeon-holed into one.
• You are in career transition and open to roles in various industries.
• You have a skillset applicable to many industries.
• You are seeking opportunities outside your current industry.

The key is crafting a headline that quickly communicates who you are, what you do, and the value you provide without needing to specify an industry.

Here are some tips for writing an informative LinkedIn headline without an industry reference:

Focus on Your Key Skills and Expertise

Rather than leading with your current job title and company, focus first on highlighting your most relevant strengths. Think about the key skills, competencies and areas of expertise you want to showcase.

For example:

• Data-Driven Marketing Strategist
• Business Development | Partnerships | Growth
• Leadership | Operations | Strategy

Leading with your expertise gives people a better understanding of what you do and the value you provide.

Include Your Profession or Role

While you don’t need to specify your industry, including your overall profession or job role provides helpful context.

For example:

• Project Manager | PMP Certified | Process Improvement
• Accountant | Budgeting | Financial Reporting | Audit
• HR Leader | Talent Management | Organizational Development

This gives people insight into the type of work you do day-to-day.

Specify Your Specialization

If you have a niche area of focus within your broader profession, feature that to make your headline more unique and memorable.

For example:

• Product Marketing Manager | SaaS | Go-To-Market Strategy
• Civil Engineer | Transportation & Infrastructure Design
• Data Scientist | Machine Learning | Predictive Analytics

Highlighting a specialization demonstrates deeper expertise.

Emphasize Transferable Skills

Specifying transferable skills applicable across roles and industries can also be effective. For example:

• Leadership | Team Building | Strategic Planning
• Digital Marketing | Social Media | Email Campaigns
• Proposal Writing | Business Development | Partnerships

This shows you can add value in diverse settings.

Use Power Words

Incorporating power words like “leading”, “expert”, “specialized”, “certified”, “results-driven”, etc. can help convey your capabilities. For example:

• Award-Winning Marketer | Content Creator | Storyteller
• Certified Financial PlannerTM | Retirement & Investment Planning
• Technical Project Manager | Software Implementation | Advanced Analytics

Power words add impact.

Quantify Your Impact

Including measurable results and impact can strengthen your headline. For example:

• Marketing Leader | Drove 20% Increase in Lead Conversion
• Product Manager | Launched #1 Best-Selling Product
• Sales Professional | $5M Quota Achiever 2 Years Running

Quantifying achievements demonstrates your value.

Align with Your Target Roles

Tailor your headline to align with the types of roles you are targeting in your job search. Emphasize the qualifications and skills you want to leverage.

For example, if you are searching for project management jobs, your headline could be:

• PMP Certified Project Manager | Budgeting | Scope Management

Whereas if you are pursuing social media manager roles, your headline could be:

• Award-Winning Social Media Manager | Digital Campaigns | Community Building

Customizing for your goals shows focus.

Highlight Diverse Experiences

If you have varied experiences you want to showcase, you can include multiple areas. For example:

• Finance | Operations | Business Planning
• Product Design | Project Management | Client Relations

This demonstrates versatility on your resume.

Craft an Eye-Catching Headline

While informative, aim make your headline engaging and memorable. Consider:

• Alliteration: Public Policy Professional
• Rhyme: Numbers Nerd
• Play on words: Excel Excelerator

A creative headline can help you stand out while summarizing your professional brand.

Example LinkedIn Headlines Without Industry

Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn headlines that convey value without specifying an industry:

As these examples illustrate, you can craft a compelling LinkedIn headline that conveys your value without specifying your industry. The key is highlighting the right skills, qualifications and expertise to appeal to your desired roles and connections.

Tips for Updating Your LinkedIn Headline

Here are some additional tips for updating your LinkedIn headline:

• Reevaluate your headline regularly as your career progresses to keep it current.
• Ask trusted colleagues or mentors for feedback on your headline.
• Analyze other strong LinkedIn headlines for inspiration.
• A/B test different versions of your headline.
• Use all 120 available characters to provide detail.
• Place the most important information first.
• Consider using emojis or symbols for visual interest.
• Check for spelling, grammar and consistency.
• Don’t overuse buzzwords or cliches.

Keeping your headline optimized will ensure you get the maximum impact from this important section of your LinkedIn profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about writing LinkedIn headlines without an industry:

Do you need to put your industry in your LinkedIn headline?

No, it’s optional to include your industry in your LinkedIn headline. Many people choose to leave the industry out and focus just on showcasing their professional strengths.

Should I include my job title in my LinkedIn headline?

Your job title can be helpful context in a LinkedIn headline, but it’s not required. Focus first on highlighting your most relevant skills and qualifications.

How do I choose the right skills for a LinkedIn headline without industry?

Prioritize keywords and skills that align with the types of roles or opportunities you are pursuing next. Emphasize transferable skills applicable across multiple industries.

How often should you change your LinkedIn headline?

Aim to reevaluate and update your LinkedIn headline every 6-12 months. More frequent changes are okay if you take on new roles or skills.

Can LinkedIn headlines be funny or creative?

Absolutely, you can use humor, plays on words, rhymes and other creative tactics to make your headline engaging, as long as it remains professional.

Conclusion

Your LinkedIn headline is valuable profile real estate, so take advantage by clearly conveying your professional brand and capabilities without the need to specify your industry. With the right headline that speaks to your experience, skills and goals, you can establish credibility and expand your connections across industries. Periodically revisit your headline to keep it optimized as your career progresses. A compelling, memorable headline that quickly communicates who you are and what you do best will serve you well in cultivating an impactful LinkedIn presence.